Site Event/Activity record ECH4158 - Golden Square, Warrington; Archaeological Evaluation and Watching Brief

In March and August 2005 three trenches were subject to archaeological evaluation (Trenches 1,6 and 9). The proposal for evaluation had originally consisted of ten trenches (Trenches 1-1 0) but the majority of these were later abandoned due to the presence of services, made ground and recent disturbance, or a change in design. An archaeological watching brief was also maintained for Test Pits 1 and 2. Trench 1 was positioned on the west side of the development area and measured 3m x 2m, reduced from its original size of 1Om in length due to services. The remaining investigations were within the north-eastern quadrant of the development area. Trench 9 was also reduced in size from its original 30m length to 15.3m due to encountering services, and Trench 6 had to be abandoned after 5m of excavation of a 1Om long trench due to contamination. Trench 1, and Test Pits 1 and 2 revealed no significant archaeological features or deposits, but highlighted the high degree of disturbance that the site has been subjected to in fairly recent times. Within Trench 6 a cellar was located, possibly earlier than the eighteenth century in date, Trench 9 revealed two north/south aligned walls running parallel with each other, possibly perpendicular to an old street front, indicating the survival of structural remains within this vicinity. However the interpretation of these walls remain inconclusive due to the eventual size of the trench, reduced due to a concentration of services within the area.